US4802320A — Retaining wall block

Claim 1

Independent Claim 331 words

A retaining wall block comprising: a body including a convex curved front face having opposite ends, a generally flat top surface, a generally flat bottom surface spaced from and extended generally parallel to the top surface and side walls extended between said top and bottom surfaces rearwardly and inwardly from the opposite ends of the front face, said body having a first generally elongate pocket and a second generally elongate pocket open to the bottom surface thereof, said first pocket being located adjacent one of said side walls, said second pocket being located adjacent the other of said side walls, and a pair of holes extended vertically through said body adapted to accommodate pins having ends projected from the body said holes having opposite ends open to said top and bottom surfaces of the body one of said holes being located inwardly of and adjacent said first pocket, the other of said holes being located inwardly of and adjacent said second pocket whereby the ends of the pins projected from the body are adapted to extend into pockets of similar adjacent retaining wall blocks having front faces and locate the front faces of the adjacent retaining wall blocks offset inwardly of the front face of the retaining wall block, a recess open to the bottom surface of the body spaced inwardly from said convex curved front face thereof, a first opening vertically through said body spaced inwardly from said recess, a web separating said recess from said first opening, said holes being located through said web, said pockets being located adjacent opposite ends of said web, a neck joined to the side walls and extended rearwardly therefrom, said neck having a width smaller than the length of said front face, a head joined to the neck, said head having ears projected laterally from opposite sides of the neck, said neck and head having a second opening extended vertically therethrough, and a second web separating the first opening from the second opening.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 331 words

A retaining wall block comprising: a body including a convex curved front face having opposite ends, a generally flat top surface, a generally flat bottom surface spaced from and extended generally parallel to the top surface and side walls extended between said top and bottom surfaces rearwardly and inwardly from the opposite ends of the front face, said body having a first generally elongate pocket and a second generally elongate pocket open to the bottom surface thereof, said first pocket being located adjacent one of said side walls, said second pocket being located adjacent the other of said side walls, and a pair of holes extended vertically through said body adapted to accommodate pins having ends projected from the body said holes having opposite ends open to said top and bottom surfaces of the body one of said holes being located inwardly of and adjacent said first pocket, the other of said holes being located inwardly of and adjacent said second pocket whereby the ends of the pins projected from the body are adapted to extend into pockets of similar adjacent retaining wall blocks having front faces and locate the front faces of the adjacent retaining wall blocks offset inwardly of the front face of the retaining wall block, a recess open to the bottom surface of the body spaced inwardly from said convex curved front face thereof, a first opening vertically through said body spaced inwardly from said recess, a web separating said recess from said first opening, said holes being located through said web, said pockets being located adjacent opposite ends of said web, a neck joined to the side walls and extended rearwardly therefrom, said neck having a width smaller than the length of said front face, a head joined to the neck, said head having ears projected laterally from opposite sides of the neck, said neck and head having a second opening extended vertically therethrough, and a second web separating the first opening from the second opening.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 15 words

The wall block of claim 1 wherein: said front face has a plurality of grooves.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 13 words

The wall block of claim 2 wherein: said grooves are generally vertical grooves.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 23 words

The wall block of claim 1 wherein: said first opening has a generally trapezoidal shape and said second opening has a rectangular shape.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 28 words

The retaining wall block of claim 1 wherein: said pockets are larger than the holes and extend outwardly toward opposite portions of the front face of said body.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 65 words

The retaining wall block of claim 1 wherein: said pockets are layer than the holes and extend outwardly toward opposite portions of the front face of said body, each of said pockets having inner ends, said pair of holes comprising a first hole located adjacent the inner end of the first pocket and a second hole located adjacent the inner end of the second pocket.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

The wall block of claim 1 wherein: said head has side walls linearly aligned with the side walls of the body.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 30 words

The retaining wall block of claim 1 wherein: each of said pockets has an arcuate shape larger than the holes and extends outwardly toward the front face of the body.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 18 words

The wall block of claim 1 wherein: said head has a convex end wall extended between said ears.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 60 words

The retaining wall block of claim 1 wherein: each of said pockets have inner ends, said pair of holes comprising a first hole located adjacent the inner end of the first pocket and a second hole located adjacent the inner end of the second pocket, said inner ends of the pockets being located in general transverse alignment with said holes.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 169 words

A retaining wall block comprising: a body including a front face having opposite ends, a top surface, a bottom surface, and side walls extended between said top and bottom surfaces rearwardly and inwardly from the opposite ends of the front face, said body having a first generally elongate pocket and a second generally elongate pocket open to one of said surfaces thereof, said first pocket being located adjacent one of said side walls, said second pocket being located adjacent the other of said side walls, and a plurality of holes extended vertically through said body adapted to accommodate pins having ends projected from the body, said holes having opposite ends open to said top and bottom surfaces, at least one hole located adjacent said first pocket, at least another hole located adjacent said second pocket, a neck joined to the side walls and extended rearwardly therefrom, and a head joined to the neck, said head having at least one ear projected laterally outward from one side of the neck.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 169 words

A retaining wall block comprising: a body including a front face having opposite ends, a top surface, a bottom surface, and side walls extended between said top and bottom surfaces rearwardly and inwardly from the opposite ends of the front face, said body having a first generally elongate pocket and a second generally elongate pocket open to one of said surfaces thereof, said first pocket being located adjacent one of said side walls, said second pocket being located adjacent the other of said side walls, and a plurality of holes extended vertically through said body adapted to accommodate pins having ends projected from the body, said holes having opposite ends open to said top and bottom surfaces, at least one hole located adjacent said first pocket, at least another hole located adjacent said second pocket, a neck joined to the side walls and extended rearwardly therefrom, and a head joined to the neck, said head having at least one ear projected laterally outward from one side of the neck.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 15 words

The wall block of claim 11 wherein: said front face has a plurality of grooves.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 13 words

The wall block of claim 12 wherein: said grooves are generally vertical grooves.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 28 words

The retaining wall block of claim 11 wherein: said pockets are larger than the holes and extend outwardly toward opposite portions of the front face of said body.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 63 words

The retaining wall block of claim 11 wherein: said pockets are larger than the holes and extend outwardly toward opposite portions of the front face of said body, each of said pockets having inner ends, said holes comprising a first hole located adjacent the inner end of said first pocket and a second hole located adjacent the inner end of the second pocket.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 60 words

The wall block of claim 15 including: a recess open to the bottom surface of the body spaced inwardly from said front face thereof, an opening vertically through said body spaced inwardly from said recess, a web separating said recess from said opening, said holes being located through said web, said pockets being located adjacent opposite ends of said web.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 30 words

The retaining wall block of claim 11 wherein: each of said pockets has an arcuate shape larger than the holes and extends outwardly toward the front face of the body.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 14 words

The wall block of claim 11 wherein: the entire block is made of concrete.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 153 words

A retaining wall block comprising: a body having opposite end portions, a convex curved front face having opposite ends, a top surface, a bottom surface, and side walls extended between said top and bottom surfaces rearwardly from said opposite ends of the front face, said side walls converging inwardly from said opposite sides of the front face, said body having hole means in the opposite end portions open to the top surface thereof, said hole means including a first pair of holes spaced away from and adjacent one of said side walls and inwardly of said front face, and a second pair of holes spaced from and adjacent the other of said side walls and located inwardly of said front face, at least one hole of said first and second pairs of holes adapted to accommodate separate pins extended vertically into said body to interlock the block with adjacent similar retaining wall blocks.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 153 words

A retaining wall block comprising: a body having opposite end portions, a convex curved front face having opposite ends, a top surface, a bottom surface, and side walls extended between said top and bottom surfaces rearwardly from said opposite ends of the front face, said side walls converging inwardly from said opposite sides of the front face, said body having hole means in the opposite end portions open to the top surface thereof, said hole means including a first pair of holes spaced away from and adjacent one of said side walls and inwardly of said front face, and a second pair of holes spaced from and adjacent the other of said side walls and located inwardly of said front face, at least one hole of said first and second pairs of holes adapted to accommodate separate pins extended vertically into said body to interlock the block with adjacent similar retaining wall blocks.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 15 words

The wall block of claim 19 wherein: said front face has a plurality of grooves.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 13 words

The wall block of claim 20 wherein: said grooves are generally vertical grooves.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 23 words

The wall block of claim 19 wherein: said hole means includes a pair of holes open to the top surface of the body.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 39 words

The retaining wall block of claim 19 including: a neck joined to the side walls and extended rearwardly therefrom, and a head joined to said neck, said head having ears projected laterally outwardly from opposite sides of the neck.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 14 words

The wall block of claim 23 including: an opening through said neck and head.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 12 words

The wall block of claim 23 including: an opening through said body.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 14 words

The wall block of claim 25 wherein: said opening has a generally trapezoidal shape.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 38 words

The wall block of claim 23 wherein: said body has a first opening extended vertically therethrough, said neck and head having a second opening extended vertically therethrough, and a web separating the first opening from the second opening.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 23 words

The wall block of claim 27 wherein: said first opening has a generally trapezoidal shape and second opening has a generally rectangular shape.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 21 words

The wall block of claim 23 wherein: said head has side walls linearly aligned with the side walls of the body.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 52 words

The wall block of claim 19 including: wall means connected to the opposite end portions of the body and extended rearwardly therefrom, said wall means comprising a first wall extended rearwardly from one end portion of the body, and a second wall extended rearwardly from the other end portion of the body.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 161 words

A retaining wall block comprising: a body having a convex curved front face having opposite ends, a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposite end portions having side walls extended between said top and bottom surfaces rearwardly from said opposite ends of the front face, said side walls converging inwardly from said opposite ends of the front face, said body having hole means open to the top surface thereof, said hole means including a first pair of holes spaced away from and adjacent one of said side walls and inwardly of said front face, and a second pair of holes spaced away from and adjacent and inwardly of said front face, at least one hole of said first and second pair of holes adapted to accommodate separate pins extended vertically into said block to interlock the block with adjacent similar retaining wall blocks, and wall means connected to the body adjacent said side wall and extended inwardly from each side wall.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 161 words

A retaining wall block comprising: a body having a convex curved front face having opposite ends, a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposite end portions having side walls extended between said top and bottom surfaces rearwardly from said opposite ends of the front face, said side walls converging inwardly from said opposite ends of the front face, said body having hole means open to the top surface thereof, said hole means including a first pair of holes spaced away from and adjacent one of said side walls and inwardly of said front face, and a second pair of holes spaced away from and adjacent and inwardly of said front face, at least one hole of said first and second pair of holes adapted to accommodate separate pins extended vertically into said block to interlock the block with adjacent similar retaining wall blocks, and wall means connected to the body adjacent said side wall and extended inwardly from each side wall.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 17 words

The wall block of claim 31 wherein: said front face has a plurality of general vertical grooves.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 40 words

The wall block of claim 31 wherein: said first pair of holes includes first holes open to the top surface of the body, and said second pair of holes includes second holes open to the top surface of the body.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 46 words

The wall block of claim 31 wherein: said side walls converge inwardly toward each other, and said wall means comprising a first wall extended rearwardly from one end portion of the body and a second wall extended rearwardly from the other end portion of the body.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 241 words

A retaining wall block comprising: a body including a front face having opposite ends, a generally flat first surface, a generally flat second surface laterally spaced from and extended generally parallel to the first surface, and side walls extended between said first and second surfaces, said side walls converging inwardly toward each other from said opposite ends of the front face, said first surface of the body having recess means adapted to accommodate pin means to interlock the block with adjacent similar retaining wall blocks, said recess means comprising a first generally elongate recess spaced inwardly of the front face and located adjacent one side wall, and a second generally elongate recess spaced inwardly of the front face and located adjacent other side wall, a first hole located adjacent the first recess extended into said body between said first and second surfaces, and a second hole located adjacent the second recess extended into said body between said first and second surfaces, said first and second holes adapted to accommodate pins having ends projected from the body extended into said block to interlock with adjacent similar retaining wall blocks locatable on top of said wall block whereby the ends of the pins projected from the body are adapted to extend into recess means of the adjacent similar retaining wall blocks and locate the front faces of the adjacent retaining wall blocks offset inwardly of the front face of the retaining wall block.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 241 words

A retaining wall block comprising: a body including a front face having opposite ends, a generally flat first surface, a generally flat second surface laterally spaced from and extended generally parallel to the first surface, and side walls extended between said first and second surfaces, said side walls converging inwardly toward each other from said opposite ends of the front face, said first surface of the body having recess means adapted to accommodate pin means to interlock the block with adjacent similar retaining wall blocks, said recess means comprising a first generally elongate recess spaced inwardly of the front face and located adjacent one side wall, and a second generally elongate recess spaced inwardly of the front face and located adjacent other side wall, a first hole located adjacent the first recess extended into said body between said first and second surfaces, and a second hole located adjacent the second recess extended into said body between said first and second surfaces, said first and second holes adapted to accommodate pins having ends projected from the body extended into said block to interlock with adjacent similar retaining wall blocks locatable on top of said wall block whereby the ends of the pins projected from the body are adapted to extend into recess means of the adjacent similar retaining wall blocks and locate the front faces of the adjacent retaining wall blocks offset inwardly of the front face of the retaining wall block.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 21 words

The retaining wall block of claim 35 wherein: said first and second recesses are in general transverse alignment with each other.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 15 words

The retaining wall block of claim 35 wherein: the body is a one-piece concrete unit.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 21 words

The retaining wall block of claim 35 wherein: the first and second holes are in general transverse alignment with each other.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 16 words

The retaining wall block of claim 35 wherein: said front face has a non-smooth face pattern.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 51 words

The wall block of claim 35 wherein: the first and second recesses are in general transverse alignment with each other, and the first and second holes are in general transverse alignment with each other, said first and second recesses and first and second holes are laterally spaced relative to each other.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 216 words

A retaining wall block comprising: a body including a front face having opposite ends, a generally flat first surface, a generally flat second surface laterally spaced from and extended generally parallel to the first surface, and side walls extended between said first and second surfaces, said side walls extended inwardly toward each other from said opposite ends of the front face, a rear wall extended between said first and second surfaces joined to said side walls, said rear wall having a length smaller than the length of the front face, said first surface of the body having recess means adapted to accommodate pin means to interlock the block with an adjacent retaining wall block, and hole means located adjacent the recess means extended into said body between said first and second surfaces adapted to accommodate pin means having an end projected from the body extended into said block to interlock with an adjacent retaining wall block having a front face locatable in a different horizontal plane than the retaining wall block whereby the end of the pin means projected from the body is adapted to extend into recess means of an adjacent retaining wall block and locate the front face of the adjacent wall block offset inwardly of the front face of the retaining wall block.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 216 words

A retaining wall block comprising: a body including a front face having opposite ends, a generally flat first surface, a generally flat second surface laterally spaced from and extended generally parallel to the first surface, and side walls extended between said first and second surfaces, said side walls extended inwardly toward each other from said opposite ends of the front face, a rear wall extended between said first and second surfaces joined to said side walls, said rear wall having a length smaller than the length of the front face, said first surface of the body having recess means adapted to accommodate pin means to interlock the block with an adjacent retaining wall block, and hole means located adjacent the recess means extended into said body between said first and second surfaces adapted to accommodate pin means having an end projected from the body extended into said block to interlock with an adjacent retaining wall block having a front face locatable in a different horizontal plane than the retaining wall block whereby the end of the pin means projected from the body is adapted to extend into recess means of an adjacent retaining wall block and locate the front face of the adjacent wall block offset inwardly of the front face of the retaining wall block.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 15 words

The retaining wall block of claim 41 wherein: the body is a one-piece concrete unit.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 35 words

The retaining wall block of claim 41 wherein: the front face has a convex curved shape and one of said side walls extends linearly between said rear wall and one end of the front face.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1992-02-07	1992-08-08	1993-02-07	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1996-02-07	1996-08-08	1997-02-07	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2000-02-07	2000-08-08	2001-02-07	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Retaining wall block

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